Opinion: Christie’s economic growth plan is good for New Jersey

Michael Maron is president and CEO of Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck.

RECENTLY, The Record wrote about several corporate headquarters being vacated in Bergen County. While it is true some companies are leaving the area, there is one field that ranks as Bergen’s largest employer and is investing and growing further in the county – health care. And it is set to further boost Bergen County’s economy.

In fact, the six medical centers and hospitals that call Bergen County home will have to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in their infrastructure over the next five-plus years. This is a strong indicator of the economic vibrancy in our county and, fortunately, the Christie administration is well aware of the importance of this sector to New Jersey’s economic well-being.

The governor has targeted six business sectors – life sciences, technology, manufacturing, finance, transportation and, the largest statewide employer of the six, health care – that will benefit from preferential government spending decisions as well as financial incentives.

The plan, being drafted by the Office for Planning Advocacy, was set for adoption this month until the superstorm hit New Jersey. It makes sense to evaluate long-term impact on the state’s economy based on storms like these. But the Christie administration is on the right track and its plan should be approved.

Steady and reliable

Interestingly, health care is the only one of the six that is a significant purchaser of all the other sectors’ services and products, reinforcing health care as perhaps the most steady and reliable of all the industries.

As a result, the Christie proposal strongly recommends increased collaboration between medical centers and the state’s colleges and universities that could lead to further economic growth.

This is a good idea. Health care is changing at an accelerated pace. As the population ages, health care professionals will be in short supply unless we intervene now with robust and contemporary education programs.

In addition, the radical changes about to occur will require current health care professionals to undergo comprehensive education in new care models and delivery platforms.

In Bergen County, Holy Name Medical Center’s nursing school continues to grow and evolve, as do the programs at all the local colleges and universities, such as Ramapo, Fairleigh Dickinson, Felician and St. Peter’s.

Hackensack University Medical Center has made a commitment to physician education, and others, including Holy Name, are exploring ways of providing new, integrated and multidisciplinary education programs to their organizations.

No matter how advanced and technologically driven health care becomes, it will always be dependent on caring, committed and well-educated professionals in the workforce to execute and deliver the highest quality care in the most appropriate manner possible.

Hospitals are evolving to more than just acute care centers, investing heavily in health and wellness centers, primary care centers, ambulatory diagnostic and treatment centers, as well as long-term care, home care and palliative services such as the Villa Marie Claire in Saddle River.

Advanced clinical research

Bergen County is also becoming a focal point for advanced clinical research. Programs at all our institutions, particularly Holy Name, Hackensack and Valley, have made and will continue to make significant investments in advancing this vital component of health care delivery improvement. These initiatives stimulate many other sectors of local economy while enhancing the capabilities of all our local providers.

Why is it so important to Bergen County? Health care employees typically live closer to their work than most other sectors because of the difficult hours and emergency needs. This means most of the jobs the sector creates in Bergen County are held by Bergen County residents, keeping this elite workforce buying homes and sending their children to local schools.

Health care facilities help keep Bergen County one of the most desirable areas to live in the United States.

Often overlooked as a catalyst for economic growth, health care is now being recognized as a vital part of New Jersey’s success. The governor is to be applauded for his approach.